Pointe Mouillee State Game Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pointe Mouillee State Game Area |
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Aerial view of the artificial barrier island
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 Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
Location in Michigan
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Monroe and Wayne counties Michigan |
| Nearest city | Rockwood, Michigan |
| Area | 7,483 acres (30.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 571 feet (174 m) |
| Established | 1945 |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources |
| Pointe Mouillee Marsh Informational Designation |
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| Location | 37205 Pointe Mouillee Road Brownstown Charter Township, Michigan |
| Designated | February 15, 1990 |
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area ( point MWEE-yay or MOO-lay) is a special nature area in Michigan, USA. It's a place where people can hunt, enjoy nature, and protect wildlife. This large area covers about 7,483 acres (30.3 km2). It is located where the Huron River meets Lake Erie. There are also smaller parts of the area along the Detroit River.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area was created in 1945. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages it.
Contents
Exploring Pointe Mouillee's Location
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is in southeast Michigan. It sits at the mouth of the Huron River where it flows into Lake Erie. The land here is about 571 feet (174 m) above sea level.
The game area is split between two counties. The southern part is in Monroe County. Most of the northern part is in Wayne County. This northern part is near the Huron River.
The game area also includes two islands in the Detroit River. These islands are Celeron Island and Stony Island. They are not lived on by people.
Pointe Mouillee is one of only two state game areas in the busy Wayne County. The other is the smaller Brownstown Prairie State Wildlife Area. The main office for Pointe Mouillee is located within the area itself. This office also helps manage other nearby wildlife areas.
The closest cities are Rockwood to the west and Gibraltar to the north. A small village called Estral Beach is also nearby.
A Look Back at Pointe Mouillee's History
French fur traders first explored this area in the 1600s. The name "Pointe Mouillee" has been used since at least 1749. "Mouillee" means "wet" in French. So, Pointe Mouillee means "wet point." This name fits the area well because it has many wetlands.
In 1875, a group of rich local men bought about 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of land. They started a hunting club called the Big 8 Shooting Club. It was known as one of the best hunting clubs in North America.
In 1945, the state of Michigan bought the club and its land. It then became a public state game area. Over the years, Pointe Mouillee State Game Area has grown bigger. For example, Celeron Island was added in 1976. Stony Island was added later too.
Restoring the Wetlands
By the mid-1900s, the marshlands at Pointe Mouillee were shrinking. This was due to dams on the Huron River and higher lake levels. In 1970, a big project began to fix this. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other groups helped.
They used material dredged (dug up) from the Detroit River and River Rouge. This material was used to build a long, narrow island. This island acts like a wall, or dike. It helps control water levels in the marsh and protects it from erosion.
The island was built using a lot of material. It became known as "the Banana" dike because of its shape. When finished in 1981, it was 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long and about 700 acres (2.8 km2) in size. This project was one of the biggest freshwater marsh restoration projects in North America.
Becoming a Historic Site
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area was named a Michigan State Historic Site on February 15, 1990. A special marker was put up near the main office.
The marker explains the history of the area. It talks about how Native Americans lived there long ago. It also mentions the French fur traders and the Big Eight Shooting Club. It explains how the marsh was restored.
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is also one of Michigan's seven "Wetland Wonders." These are special places known for their important wetlands.
Fun Activities at Pointe Mouillee
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is a popular spot for many outdoor activities. People come here for hunting, especially deer hunting and waterfowl hunting. It's also great for fishing and birdwatching.
You can go hiking and biking along the artificial dike and marshlands. However, some areas are protected for wildlife. These spots have limited access to keep the animals safe.
Some activities are not allowed, like camping or riding off-road vehicles. There are no beaches or playgrounds, and swimming is not possible. The area has about 7.0–9.8 miles (11.3–15.8 km) of hiking trails. These trails include paths to reach the barrier island.
There are many places to fish from the shore. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also has three boat launches. One launch has a paved ramp and direct access to Lake Erie. The other two are smaller and mostly used for duck hunting and fishing in the marsh.
Since 1947, the Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival has been held every September. This free festival brings thousands of visitors. They enjoy duck hunting, competitions, archery, and other events.
Birdwatching Paradise
Pointe Mouillee State Game Area is an amazing place for birdwatching. The National Audubon Society has even listed it as an Important Bird Area. This means it's a very important place for birds.
Many different bird species live or visit here. You might see tundra swans, redheads, wood ducks, and mallards. A detailed list found at least 295 different kinds of birds! Some birds only pass through during their migration. Others come here to breed.
You might even spot the American white pelican here. These large birds are often seen along the Detroit River and at Pointe Mouillee.
Images for kids
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Historic marker at Pointe Mouillee Marsh
